Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Lessons from Singapore and India

Sustainability can be defined as meeting our needs without jeopardizing the next generations’ ability to meet their own needs. Global sustainability is one of the most pertinent challenges mankind faces today, with the world’s governments offering contrasting & unique approaches to solving the issue of climate change and global warming.?

My home country is India, but I live in Singapore. Singapore is an island country and city-state located in Southeast Asia. It is one of the richest countries in the world, with a GDP per capita of $84,734.3 and a population of 5.9 million people. Singapore has positioned itself as a hub for trade and innovation as the country also is in the pursuit of efficient sustainable practices. India on the other hand, is the most populated country in the world, with a population of over 1.4 billion. It is an emerging economy and the largest democracy on the planet. India has a much larger struggle, to manage rapid urbanization and population with development, in a manner that is sustainable and suitable for the future. This essay will delve into the sustainability practices between these two vastly different countries.?

Singapore’s Sustainable Practices

The Singapore Green Plan 2030 is a comprehensive national sustainability strategy launched in February 2021. This movement encompasses the entire nation, aiming to advance Singapore’s agenda on sustainable development, positioning the country to achieve environmentally-conscious goals like net-zero by 2050. There are a variety of key features:?

1. Plant 1 million more trees?
2. Quadruple solar energy deployment by 2025, which the country is already on track to do.?
3. Reduce landfill waste by 30% by 2030
4. 30% of schools will be carbon neutral. This means that the schools will offset their emissions through carbon reduction methods.?
5. Newly registered cars to be environmentally friendly, cleaner models by 2030.??

Singapore's approach to urban planning and green infrastructure focuses on creating a livable and sustainable city. It is known worldwide as the “Garden City” for its extensive gardens, and its perfect integration of vegetation and urbanization. Singapore has a very humid and tropical climate year-round, for this reason, the government has focused on incorporating greenery into the city.?

Singapore’s cooling system?

• Dozens of Singapore’s buildings in the Central Business District, Gardens by the Bay, exhibition centers, and the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel are cooled by this underground cooling system.?
• The city uses a large central plant that pumps cool water into river banks, residential and office buildings, hotels, and attraction centers. It saves 40% of electricity usage compared to traditional air conditioners.?
• Due to Singapore’s heavy reliance on natural gas, the cooling power plant is powered by natural gas, and by doing this it can be equivalent to reducing the emissions of 10,000 road cars.?

Singapore’s vegetation and infrastructure?

Singapore has incorporated vegetation into a number of urban areas. By integrating greenery into the cityscape, Singapore effectively mitigates the urban heat island effect, providing natural cooling that reduces reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning systems. Additionally, vegetation contributes to improved air quality, stormwater management, and biodiversity, creating a healthier living environment for residents. A few examples include:

• Kampung Admiralty: A health and social center with restaurants, gyms, and small parks, offering more green space than the land it occupies. Its roof is covered with local plants, encouraging elderly residents to participate in gardening.

• ParkRoyal @Pickering Hotel: A striking building surrounded by vegetation, featuring wood-coloured rooms and a forest theme. It includes 15,000 square meters of sky gardens, waterfalls, planted terraces, green walls, and reflective pools.

Another crucial part of the country’s sustainable practices is the Urban Heat Island Effect. The Urban Heat Island effect is a process where urban areas are significantly hotter than rural regions, and have higher average temperatures. This is due to hotter air being emitted from vehicles and air conditioners and then being trapped amongst the buildings.?

• Singapore’s strategies to mitigate this include shading windows, designing the layout of buildings to allow for better airflow, and using rivers to help maintain temperature.?
• The use of lighter construction materials and limiting combustion engines in the city are also key components.?
• Energy production is focused outside the main city area, with an emphasis on clean energy sources. The city aims to convert roofs and facades into renewable energy production sites, potentially meeting 20-25% of its energy needs.?
• Additionally, the "Cooling Singapore" initiative uses digital models to analyse the impact of these measures, considering factors like human activity, transport, and building density, to develop an effective UHI mitigation strategy

India’s Sustainable Practices

Due to the sheer size of India, this report will divide sustainable practices examples in 3 states: Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, and Nagaland.?

Plan 1: Tamil Nadu:?

In 2021, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched the 'Meendum Manjappai' (Bring Back the Yellow Bag) campaign to promote the use of reusable cloth bags and discourage the use of single-use plastic bags across the state. The initiative aims to create awareness about the harmful effects of plastic pollution and encourage people to switch to the traditional 'manjappai' or yellow cloth bag. Tamil Nadu has also already implemented a ban on the production, storage, distribution, or sale of 14 types of plastic materials effective from Jan 1st, 2019. There are 3 categories of plastic items banned.?

• The first category includes plastic sticks used in balloons, flags, candy, ice cream and earbuds, as well as thermocol used in decorations.
• The second category, banned from July 1, 2022, includes items such as plates, cups, glasses, cutlery (forks, spoons, knives), straws, trays, wrapping and packing films used in sweet boxes, invitation cards, cigarette packets, stirrers and plastic banners less than 100 microns in thickness.
• The third category proposes a ban on non-woven bags below 240 microns in thickness, effective from September 2023.

To ensure the success of the 'Meendum Manjappai' campaign, the Tamil Nadu government has taken several measures:

• Installation of 92 cloth bag vending machines across the state
• Intensified enforcement of the ban on single-use plastics, with 5.75 lakh raids conducted, 560 tonnes of SUP seized, and ?7.2 crore in fines collected
• ?Launch of Manjappai e-vehicles as part of the campaign
• Opening of a beach litter monitoring kiosk in Besant Nagar beach

The 'Meendum Manjappai initiative has gained recognition at the national level, with the Union government selecting it as one of the three Tamil Nadu projects to be discussed at the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai. The campaign's success is crucial to Tamil Nadu's mission to reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices in the state.

Plan 2: Meghalaya:??

A state filled with rich and beautiful biodiversity, Meghalaya has prioritized reforestation and afforestation programs and is committed to preserving its green heritage and ensuring farmers sustainably farm.?

Sustainable Agriculture Practices

Meghalaya's agricultural sector is primarily based on smallholder farming, which is highly dependent on monsoon rains. To enhance resilience against climate variability, the state is implementing several sustainable agricultural practices:

1. Spring Revival Projects: The state government, with support from the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC), is reviving and maintaining over 65,000 springs crucial for irrigation and drinking water in rural areas. These projects aim to improve water security and enhance food security. Moreover, investors are aiding the state’s farmers in restoring 22,670 hectares of biodiversity and vegetation, AstraZeneca donated $71 Million for example.?
2. Soil Health Management: Meghalaya provides free soil testing services to farmers, helping them optimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides. The state also promotes organic farming practices, including the use of bio-pesticides and integrated pest management, to reduce chemical dependency and improve food safety.

Aiding Farmers:?

The agricultural landscape of Meghalaya faces significant challenges, including fragmented land, low yields, limited access to modern technology, and inadequate market and credit facilities. Various government initiatives, such as the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (Megha-LAMP) and the Sustainable Land Management Meghalaya Project (SLM), have been launched to address these issues by promoting sustainable agriculture, enhancing market access, and improving natural resource management. Taims to capitalize on Meghalaya's traditional farming practices, connect farmers to lucrative markets and tackle debt and productivity challenges. The project promotes organic farming, simplifies certification processes, enhances farmer capacities, and strengthens market linkage

Plan 3: Nagaland:?

Nagaland is a mountainous state located in Northeast India and is a cultural hub of India. It is famous for a variety of festivals, Indigenous tribes, and ancient artifacts. For the Nagas, the primary indigenous tribe of the region, their connection with nature is very strong and important. Agriculture is the primary way of life for the Nagas, and they have adopted numerous sustainable agriculture practices, focusing on improving Mother Nature along with sustaining their livelihoods. There are a number of sustainability practices they have adopted:?

1. Organic Fertilizers: The Naga agricultural method is largely organic, steering clear of chemical fertilizers. Instead, they use natural substances like poultry bird droppings and wood ashes to enrich the soil. Powdered bird droppings boost plant germination, while wood ashes, which are rich in potassium and minerals, improve soil fertility.
2. Seed Preservation & Eggshell Fertilizer: The Naga people traditionally preserve and conserve their seeds, maintaining genetic diversity and resilience in their agriculture. This practice ensures the preservation of local varieties suited to the environment. Crushed eggshells, used as natural fertilisers, provide essential minerals like calcium carbonate, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium for plant growth.
3. Daily Activities - Tree Planting & Traditional Crafts: Some Naga households practise vermicomposting, converting agricultural waste into nutrient-rich compost through earthworms, which produce soil-enhancing castings. Naga traditions and religious beliefs are integrated into sustainable farming; for example, mekhela is wrapped around trees to stimulate fruit production, and first fruits are offered to God. The Nagas also promote eco-friendly practices, using biodegradable plates from bamboo or banana leaves and preferring bamboo and wooden cutlery to minimise plastic pollution.?

Comparison & Conclusion:?

Singapore and India are two vastly different nations with vastly different requirements. They vary in terms of development, economic strength, labor force, environment, and practically any other factor comparable. While India and Singapore have vastly different scales, demographics, and economic landscapes, there are several sustainability practices that can be shared and adapted between the two countries. Singapore's integrated approach to water management, which involves diversifying water sources, investing in advanced technologies, and promoting conservation, could serve as a model for India's water-stressed regions. India's community-based conservation efforts, such as the involvement of local communities in managing forests and wildlife resources, could provide insights for Singapore in fostering grassroots environmental stewardship. Both countries can also learn from each other's experiences in promoting sustainable agriculture practices, such as organic farming and preservation, to enhance food security and soil health.?

One example of a sustainability practice that India could potentially adopt from Singapore is the use of district cooling systems. Singapore's underground cooling network, which centralizes cooling for various buildings, has achieved significant energy savings compared to traditional air conditioning systems. While the scale and implementation may differ, India could explore the feasibility of implementing district cooling in its major cities, particularly in commercial and residential hubs. This approach could help reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and provide cost savings for building owners and occupants. However, it is essential to consider factors such as the availability of resources, infrastructure requirements, and the economic viability of such a system in the Indian context.?

Nevertheless, both nations can collaborate in the future on potential sustainability practices each can adopt and can research developmental projects involving waste & energy management, sustainable urban design, and farming. In conclusion, despite the great differences in size, demographics, economy, and other factors, both Singapore and India can utilize their geographic positions and their respective strengths to help advocate for an increasingly sustainable world.